Florida Professional Firefighters Endorse Ron DeSantis

By Lydia Nusbaum

Published Jul. 13, 2022, 9:22 a.m. ET | Updated Jul. 13, 2022

July 13, 2022 Updated 9:22 A.M. ET

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Florida Professional Firefighters endorsed Gov. Ron DeSantis in his re-election bid Tuesday.

“In Florida, our first responder heroes will receive $1,000 bonuses for the second year in a row, a small token of our appreciation for their service to their communities,” DeSantis said. “I am proud to have the endorsement of the Florida Professional Firefighters!”

In Florida, our first responder heroes will receive $1,000 bonuses for the second year in a row, a small token of our appreciation for their service to their communities.

I am proud to have the endorsement of the Florida Professional Firefighters! pic.twitter.com/Q2ShBDvLQv
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) July 13, 2022

Governor DeSantis announced in April he would give another round of bonuses to first responders due to the rise of inflation and gas prices. Firefighters, paramedics, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical technicians would receive a $1,000 bonus.

“As national trends over the last two years were to take money away from law enforcement, to turn your back on law enforcement, we stood strong and we would not flinch from being a law-and-order state,” DeSantis said in April.

The Reedy Creek Professional Firefighters Association President reportedly also gave DeSantis their endorsement along with other union leaders at an Orlando hotel.

Governor DeSantis signed legislation that would dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District after controversy with the Walt Disney Company. Reedy Creek’s firefighter union president said more than 200 firefighters at Reedy Creek will still have jobs if the district is dissolved.

The governor also approved legislation to provide $5,000 for new law enforcement recruits who decide to serve in Florida. It also covers up to $1,000 for any necessary equivalent training programs for officers relocating to Florida.